Amandla Stenberg and Ben Platt Discuss Their Lives and Experiences in the Entertainment Industry
Summary
In this article, Amandla Stenberg and Ben Platt share their experiences and thoughts on various aspects of their lives in the entertainment industry. From Amandla’s love for burgers and her talent for voicing-over in movies, to Ben’s experiences in summer camp and his decision to leave the Broadway production of “Dear Evan Hansen,” they offer insights into their lives as actors and musicians. Lastly, they discuss the core message of the musical and its universal portrayal of mental health.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Amandla’s Career and Interests
- Ben’s Early Career and the Decision to Leave “Dear Evan Hansen”
- The Message of “Dear Evan Hansen”
- Conclusion
Introduction
In this Q&A article, we sit down with Amandla Stenberg and Ben Platt to discuss their perspectives and experiences in the entertainment industry. Amandla and Ben are both accomplished actors and musicians, and they share their insights on various aspects of their lives in this engaging conversation.
Amandla’s Career and Interests
Q: Amandla, you became an actress at a young age. Can you tell us about your journey in the entertainment industry?
Amandla: I started acting when I was about three or four years old. It really became something that I loved to do, and I continued with it. I remember watching movies and TV shows and wanting to be a part of that world, so I just pursued it. I started doing more work when I was twelve and got the role of Rue in “The Hunger Games.”
Q: You’ve also done voice-over work for movies. Can you tell us about your experience with that?
Amandla: Yeah! I’ve done some voice-over work for “Rio 2” and “Everything, Everything.” It’s really fun because you don’t have to worry about being on camera, and you can just have fun with the character’s voice. It’s really interesting to see how you can convey emotions with just your voice.
Q: You’re also a musician and play the viola. How did you get into music?
Amandla: I started playing the viola when I was about six or seven. My sister played it first, and I remember hearing her play and thinking it was really beautiful. I started taking lessons and fell in love with it. It’s really different from acting because it’s all about expressing yourself through music.
Q: Lastly, we have to ask- we hear you love burgers. Can you tell us about that?
Amandla: (laughs) Yes, I love burgers! I’m not a vegan or anything like that, so I really enjoy a good burger. In-N-Out is probably my favorite burger place.
Ben’s Early Career and the Decision to Leave “Dear Evan Hansen”
Q: Ben, you started performing in summer camp at a young age. Can you tell us about that experience?
Ben: Yeah, I started performing in summer camp when I was about eight years old. It was really fun because you got to perform for your friends and family. I remember I would perform a lot of “West Side Story” and “The Music Man” songs.
Q: You won a Tony for your role in “Dear Evan Hansen.” Can you tell us about that experience?
Ben: Winning a Tony was definitely a surreal moment. I was on a really long journey with that show, so it was really special to have that recognition. It’s an honor to be acknowledged for something that was such a big part of my life.
Q: Speaking of “Dear Evan Hansen,” you made the decision to leave the Broadway production. Can you tell us about that decision?
Ben: Yeah, leaving the show was definitely a difficult decision. I had been with it for about three years and felt like it was time to move on. It was a hard decision, but ultimately, I just felt like I needed to explore other opportunities and grow as an artist.
Q: You also sang “Corner of the Sky” and “Runaway” in season two of “The Politician.” How did that come about?
Ben: Oh, that was really fun! I’ve known Ryan Murphy for a while, and he approached me with the idea of singing those songs on the show. It was really cool because they adapted the songs to fit into the world of the show.
The Message of “Dear Evan Hansen”
Q: The musical “Dear Evan Hansen” has a powerful message about mental health. Can you talk about that?
Ben: Yeah, the message of the musical is that it’s okay not to be okay. Mental health is a universal experience, and the show portrays that in a really honest and raw way. It encourages people to talk about their feelings and seek help if they need it.
Q: Why do you think this message is important?
Ben: I think it’s important because mental health is still stigmatized in our society. There’s still a lot of shame attached to it, and I think this show helps to break down those barriers and start a conversation. It’s important to remind people that they’re not alone and that it’s okay to ask for help.
Q: Amandla, have you seen “Dear Evan Hansen”? What did you think?
Amandla: Yes, I have seen it! I thought it was really beautiful. The message is so important, and the way they portray mental health is really powerful. It’s one of those shows that really sticks with you.
Conclusion
In this Q&A article, Amandla Stenberg and Ben Platt shared insights into their lives and experiences in the entertainment industry. From Amandla’s love for burgers and her talent for voice-over work, to Ben’s decision to leave “Dear Evan Hansen” and the show’s powerful message about mental health, they offered diverse perspectives on various topics. Their conversation was enlightening and showcased the importance of sharing our experiences and supporting one another on our journeys.
